New S550 on Top Gear
06-01-06, 01:02 AM
#1
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06-01-06, 01:40 AM
#2
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I used to really dislike MB interiors, but now that MB is lifting them from 7ers they actually look very nice. It's a clean appearance, but the lack of buttons and the high-levels of integration in the COMMAND system may confuse many older buyers.
I'm imagining MB's 7spd auto was benchmarked and will be beaten by Lexus' all-new 8spd hardware.
LS460 will avoid the gas guzzler tax, while offering identical if not superior acceleration figures. Some companies are responsible, other's are not.
There are really only three areas I can imagine the LS460 easily outshining the S-class. Powertrain/Drivetrain, NVH, and reliability.
MB's "night vision" is pretty cool, there was an article about it in the current issue Pop-sci and they like it. That's about the only feature the S-class has that the LS460 doesn't. But the LS460 may just make up w/its superior radar (can detect animals, small objects) and brighter HID's.
What it will really come down to is which chassis is better, if Lexus has the winner they claim they do....I see another embarrasment for MB.
I'm imagining MB's 7spd auto was benchmarked and will be beaten by Lexus' all-new 8spd hardware.
LS460 will avoid the gas guzzler tax, while offering identical if not superior acceleration figures. Some companies are responsible, other's are not.
There are really only three areas I can imagine the LS460 easily outshining the S-class. Powertrain/Drivetrain, NVH, and reliability.
MB's "night vision" is pretty cool, there was an article about it in the current issue Pop-sci and they like it. That's about the only feature the S-class has that the LS460 doesn't. But the LS460 may just make up w/its superior radar (can detect animals, small objects) and brighter HID's.
What it will really come down to is which chassis is better, if Lexus has the winner they claim they do....I see another embarrasment for MB.
06-01-06, 08:09 AM
#3
Racer
After looking at that video I really don't think it's to much that can touch the S class. Lexus will always be the reliability king. But the S class will always be the king of the road.
06-01-06, 10:30 AM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by LexusLuver
MB's "night vision" is pretty cool, there was an article about it in the current issue Pop-sci and they like it. That's about the only feature the S-class has that the LS460 doesn't.
06-01-06, 12:50 PM
#7
The Night Vision looks cool but Fifth Gear's test showed it to be nearly useless at detecting pedestrians ahead...
But I sat in the S-class recently, and the New version is really a huge improvement. So much so that it's nearly a return to the old glory days of well-designed Benz interiors.
Unlike the other models...
But I sat in the S-class recently, and the New version is really a huge improvement. So much so that it's nearly a return to the old glory days of well-designed Benz interiors.
Unlike the other models...
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06-01-06, 01:26 PM
#8
shouldve seen what happened afterwards they get an old S class with a 2.8 V6 and turn the inside into a cottage like room, they put cement on the floor and it weighed down the car so bad. 0-60 in 35 seconds was hilarious, had a wood burning stove, a few chairs, a table with a tea set on it also and they were taking a lap around the track and stuff was sliding all over the place
06-01-06, 02:31 PM
#9
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Originally Posted by enigma354
The Night Vision looks cool but Fifth Gear's test showed it to be nearly useless at detecting pedestrians ahead...
What's interesting is MB finally came up w/a response to Lexus' Opitron (sp) gauge cluster. The nightvision/LCD gauges are really neat feature, IMO. Though I feel Lexus gauges are more inviting and natual in appearance.
Originally Posted by enigma354
But I sat in the S-class recently, and the New version is really a huge improvement. So much so that it's nearly a return to the old glory days of well-designed Benz interiors.
06-01-06, 02:42 PM
#10
Great video. When I saw the new S Class on the street I liked it a lot more than I did in pictures, and it was one of my favorite cars at the autoshow...they've done a great job. Like Clarkson stated in his review of the CLS55 though, I'm still weary of Mercedes reliability and I know that it seems like a lot of Lexus fans play that card, but it's only because we can. They had so much trouble with this current C-Class when it first came out and that car is unbelievably basic in comparison to this one, the new E has had its share of issues, the outgoing S class was a nightmare for everyone that I know who owned one, the old ML was probably the worst car that Mercedes ever built, and I know that there have been numerous problems accross their entire product line. For that reason alone, I don't think I'd buy an S Class if I had the money.
I think there are two ways of looking at a car like this. The first being "This car costs $80,000+ and has so much advanced technology which is what I paid for, so it's ok if it breaks down every now and then because it's SO state of the art and SO advanced that it hasn't been refined." The second being, "If I pay $80,000 for a car, it better be solid, reliable, and moreso than any car costing less because I'm paying for the quality and dependability (as well as other things)."
I think it's this mentality that seperates Mercedes and Lexus buyers. To each his own, though.
I hope that I don't sound like a Lexus troll but I am excited to see what the LS 460 brings to the table. No doubt that it's going to be packed with technology but I think that the test is going to be whether it can keep up with the new S550 in terms of performance, and cruise past it in dependability and reliability surveys while rivaling it in technology. I hope Lexus doesn't screw up VDIM this time, though it's arguably less important in a car that's bigger than the IS and GS.
I think there are two ways of looking at a car like this. The first being "This car costs $80,000+ and has so much advanced technology which is what I paid for, so it's ok if it breaks down every now and then because it's SO state of the art and SO advanced that it hasn't been refined." The second being, "If I pay $80,000 for a car, it better be solid, reliable, and moreso than any car costing less because I'm paying for the quality and dependability (as well as other things)."
I think it's this mentality that seperates Mercedes and Lexus buyers. To each his own, though.
I hope that I don't sound like a Lexus troll but I am excited to see what the LS 460 brings to the table. No doubt that it's going to be packed with technology but I think that the test is going to be whether it can keep up with the new S550 in terms of performance, and cruise past it in dependability and reliability surveys while rivaling it in technology. I hope Lexus doesn't screw up VDIM this time, though it's arguably less important in a car that's bigger than the IS and GS.
07-07-06, 06:36 PM
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Luxury, Style, and Power – Tej Kohli
I purchased one in April 2006. I went from a 2001 S500 to the brand new S550, and there are some huge improvements. The rear has an extra couple of inches compared to the pervious model, and of course you can feel that the S550 has much more power than the previous model too. The S550 has great Fuel Economy for the amount of power it produces and engine size, I get around 18.5 - 21 MPG average.
Also this car has a lot of electronics, it just that’s a while to get use to the system. Even so, it is a masterful redesign of a previously great car -
Tej Kohli.
Also this car has a lot of electronics, it just that’s a while to get use to the system. Even so, it is a masterful redesign of a previously great car -
Tej Kohli.
07-07-06, 07:02 PM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by LexusLuver
It's a clean appearance, but the lack of buttons and the high-levels of integration in the COMMAND system may confuse many older buyers.
There are a few older members on the MB forums that find it very easy to use.
07-07-06, 08:22 PM
#14
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07-07-06, 08:39 PM
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Just watched Clarkson's video - wow. I loved the new S-class when it was first shown, and this cements it. Power, style, luxury, and INCREDIBLE handling - did you guys see how FLAT that thing corners????? 
That night vision is awesome too. And the graphics on that screen are great even if some of the controls ought to also be available on buttons.
I love it. I hope the new LS460 really gives it stiff competition, but I don't think it will.
That night vision is awesome too. And the graphics on that screen are great even if some of the controls ought to also be available on buttons.
I love it. I hope the new LS460 really gives it stiff competition, but I don't think it will.